When families choose a funeral director they are entrusting them with the care of their loved one. Many families prefer to choose a well established firm with a reputation that has been earned over a number of years.
T W Birks & Son has been established for 87 years; the firm was founded in 1929 by Thomas Wilfred Birks, as a joiners and undertakers.
The firm passed to his son Thomas Geoffrey Birks, who along with his wife Joy, focused and developed the funeral directing side of the business.
The business is currently managed and owned by the founder’s grandchildren; Neil and Fiona, who continue the family tradition of serving their community in their time of need.
The business passed on to his son Geoffrey who along with his wife Joy developed and expanded the business, building the first funeral home in the Huddersfield area at Woodhead Road, Holmfirth. We are proud of our history and being Huddersfields oldest independent funeral director still owned and run by the same family.
Geoffrey and Joy were succeeded in the business by their children who jointly own and run the business today, continuing the family tradition of providing quality funerals and memorials for the local community.
We are here to take the weight off your shoulders and help you arrange a unique and meaningful funeral tailored to your customs, needs and budget.
As a local business we try and give back to our local community as much as we can. We regularly support our local churches, sports teams, community groups and community events.
Meet our experienced and professional team of funeral directors who are here to help your family throughout the funeral arrangements. They share our family values and strive to carry out our clients’ wishes to the highest standards with compassion, respect and openness at all times.
I suppose you could say that I have been involved with T.W. Birks & Son Ltd. from a very early age, working with my Father in the Joiner’s shop when we used to make our own coffins. I learned to drive at the tender age of 12 in the yard at the Funeral Home, I was subsequently able to pass my driving test shortly after turning 17. At the age of 17 I started as an Engineering apprentice, but on an evening went to Leeds to learn Embalming. At the age of 21 I fulfilled a long time ambition to drive heavy goods vehicles and I did this for the next 20 years. I started working full time for T.W. Birks & Son Ltd. in April 1994 and at my Father’s request quickly gained qualifications as an Embalmer in May 1996. I got my Diploma in Funeral Directing in November 1996 and was admitted to the British Institute of Funeral Directors in February 1997. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of helping people in their time of need and have made many friends and formed lasting relationships over the years. I am proud to carry on the tradition of Funeral Directing which was started by my Grandfather Thomas Wilfred Birks. I was elected captain of Meltham Golf Club in 2009 and still enjoy playing golf.
I am the grand-daughter of the founder, Thomas Wilfred Birks, and have been involved with different aspects of the business throughout my life.
After leaving school, I trained and achieved the City and Guilds Diploma in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy and went on to work in leading salons across Huddersfield and Manchester for over 25 years. I am responsible for the administration, organising and conducting of funerals. I am also managing director of the company involved with many aspects of the running of the business. I also use my previous hair and beauty experience in the natural preparation of people for viewing. I enjoying bringing fresh ideas into the business and working with families to arrange dignified funerals that are unique and a true reflection of their life and family. I am specially trained and experienced in funerals for babies and children, funerals involving children and deaths caused by suicide. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
T.W. Birks & Son work extremely hard to arrange funerals to families exacting requirements, we are humbled by the gratitude and thanks shown to ourselves by the families we serve. Below is a small number of funeral reviews that we have recently received.
Everyone I have spoken to have said what a beautiful casket mum had, the service you provided did her proud. I cannot thank the staff enough at T W Birks for the kindness I have received, especially to Fiona for helping me through this sad time.
We thought the printed Order of Service was exceptionally good. The content of the service was presented clearly and professionally. We were very satisfied. We feel we were made to feel special. The sheer professionalism, helpfulness and attention to detail of Ian Waterhouse and Fiona Birks was outstanding.
The overall experience was handled with compassion and understanding but in a very professional manner. Just to say thank you for making it run so well from start to finish
Fiona lead me around, put me where I needed to be, told me what I needed to do. I was so grateful. I was not capable of doing it on my own. Everyone at T.W. Birks was wonderful, it helped me get through the worst day of my life
Our limousines seat seven mourners and have climate control, leather seats and a class leading passenger space. Small packets of tissues and bottled water are provided in the limousines for passenger convenience and comfort.
